HANCEVILLE - A man who the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office said is in the United States illegally was arrested last week near Hanceville for trafficking in methamphetamine.

According to a media release from the CCSO, on Thursday, Jan. 4, agents with the Cullman Narcotics Enforcement Team (CNET) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) arrested Juan Carlos Jimenez-Alcarez, 32, of Mexico.

The sheriff’s office said this is Jimenez-Alcarez’s second time to re-enter the United States illegally and be arrested for trafficking in methamphetamine.

The suspect allegedly sold “large amounts” of meth to CNET and DEA agents during a two-month investigation. He was arrested near Hanceville off Alabama Highway 91, at which time the CCSO said 1.5 pounds of meth, approximately $3,000 in cash and a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado were seized.

In searching the home of Jimenez-Alcarez, agents allegedly seized 2 pounds of meth, about $35,000 cash, a 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe LT, a Bersa 40 caliber semi-automatic, a Mossberg 12 gauge shot gun and a Century Arms semi-automatic.

The arrest, in total, led to the seizure of 3.5 pounds of meth with a street value of $200,000, $35,000 cash, two vehicles and three guns, said the sheriff’s office.

“We are a very proactive sheriff’s office and we are always trying to prevent these drug dealers from coming into our community to sell their drugs. I’m grateful that we intercepted this large amount of drugs before it was able to make it into our county,” said Sheriff Matt Gentry. “I also believe we are continuing to send the message if you come to Cullman County to sell your drugs you will be arrested, and you will be held accountable for your crime. I would also like to thank CNET and the DEA for the great job they did on this case.”

Jimenez-Alcarez is currently being held in the Cullman County Detention Center by the Department of Homeland Security without bond.